(CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – Residents can enjoy Italian tonight and Mexican food next week to help Destination Imagination teams travel to compete at the 2014 DI Global Finals.

The finals will be held May 21-25 in Knoxville, Tenn. Teams from Bob Jones high and Horizon elementary schools qualified to compete and will travel to globals.

Tonight, Horizon’s DI team is sponsoring a spaghetti dinner in the cafeteria from 5 to 6 p.m. Cost is $5 or a family rate at $13.

The meal includes spaghetti, salad, bread and beverage. Crepes and dessert treats also will be sold.

A silent auction will feature an autographed Crimson Tide jersey from All-American Tampa Bay Buccaneer Mark Barron. Vera Bradley accessories will be offered.

Bidders also can vie for gift certificates from Casa Blanca, Shaggy’s, Applebee’s and other eateries. After the meal, the Horizon PTA will meet, and the Horizon Chorus will present their spring concert.

On May 12, Casa Blanca will host a Spirit Night from 4 to 9 p.m. A portion of sales will benefit DI teams.

Destination Imagination is a non-profit, volunteer-led, cause-driven organization designed to inspire and equip students to become future innovators and leaders. Students solve challenges that panels of parents, educators and subject-matter experts define in various disciplines.

More than 1,300 teams from 45 states, seven Canadian provinces and 13 countries will compete at DI Global Finals.

Each DI team from Madison needs about $6,000 to attend globals. Corporate or private sponsorships are welcome. For information, email to Robin Dauma at Bob Jones at rdauma@madisoncity.k12.al.us or Beth Bero at Horizon at ebero@madisoncity.k12.al.us.